BUFFALO, NY (January 5, 2018) – Former Brooks Bandits defenceman Cale Makar (Calgary, AB) has become the first team graduate to win a gold medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship, after Team Canada downed Sweden 3-1 on Friday night at KeyBank Center.

In addition to winning Gold, Makar was also named as one of two defencemen on the tournament’s all-star team, the only Team Canada honoree in the six-man group. It followed up his being named one of Canada’s three Players of the Tournament after their semifinal win over the Czech Republic.

Makar finished the tournament with 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists) in 7 games, leading all tournament defencemen in scoring. Despite beginning the tournament listed as Canada’s seventh defenceman on the depth chart, Makar shone early and transformed into one of the team’s biggest weapons, especially on the power play.

He will next return to the University of Massachusetts to continue his freshman season of NCAA hockey, after being drafted fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche last year after completing his record-setting career with the Bandits.